What's in a day?
The bottom line is that you and your team have to maximise all room sales opportunities to ensure the hotel operates to the highest occupancy levels, with no compromise on yield. It’s a varied role, so alongside bedrooms you’ll also be selling and marketing weddings, conferences, meetings and seasonal events (no pressure, then).
Key responsibilities:
- Implementing a proactive room sales strategy
- Developing both new and existing customers
- In larger groups, maintaining key accounts with national and international companies
- Promoting the brand
- Staying on top of rate management and yield
- Training and developing staff
What sort of hours will I work?
Usually office hours
What’s the best bit about being a room sales manager?
"The fact that it’s such an autonomous and rewarding role," says Krishnan Doyle and the hospitality specialists at COREcruitment.
And the worst?
The role might be limited, depending on the hotel and the type of brand.
What skills do I need?
- A flair for motivating and getting the very best from your staff
- First rate sales skills
- Business acumen so you can increase yield within the hotel
- The confidence to liaise with the general manager and other sales managers in the hotel
What qualifications do I need?
You’ll need a solid grounding in sales in hotels, as well as a track record in managing and motivating others. Any related degrees or diplomas that illustrate your commitment and show an understanding of business would be welcome.
Who would it suit?
Someone who’s driven by making money — both for yourself and for the company.
What sort of salary can I expect?
Well, probably a basic salary of high £20,000s to low £30,000s, plus a commission or bonus that could take it as high as you want.
Source: Krishnan Doyle and the hospitality specialists at COREcruitment, 2009
Where can I go from here?
Why not consider a director of sales role? Or perhaps you’d want to take your skills into another part of the industry?
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